Dripping in Arthurian legend and with every line spoken in some sort of hushed whisper, David Lowery’s “The Green Knight” demonstrates a continued understanding of the power of storytelling and myth, and a further refinement of the director’s ability to balance fantasy and coming of age elements previously displayed in works like “A Ghost Story” and “Pete’s Dragon (2016).”
Dev Patel (“Slumdog Millionaire,” “The Personal History of David Copperfield”) stars as Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur who’s tasked with fulfilling an agreement with a mysterious Green Knight, played by Ralph Ineson (“Chernobyl,” “The VVitch”). This is the most basic of plot descriptions, not because of spoilers but because the film is a perfect example of experiential cinema.
What exactly does that mean? Well, Lowery has clearly put the most effort into making the audience not just identify with, but feel as though they’re going on this journey alongside Gawain. Multiple sequences play out with little to no dialogue or explanation, instead stretching the boundaries between fantasy and reality. It's hard to say what actually happens and what’s just in Gaiwan’s head, but that distinction isn’t necessary for the film to be effective.
Patel’s performance is grounded, gritty, and immature. His Gawain is a fresh faced, eager to please young knight and it further justifies categorizing this film as a coming of age story. Each character he encounters is just that, not an actor playing a role, but disappearing into a fantastical kind of character meant to further motivate him and reinforce this bizarre medieval world.
Joel Edgerton (“Loving,” “Boy Erased”) appears as the Lord of a manor Gawain encounters and maintains an authoritative presence in his brief screen time. Alicia Vikander (“Ex Machina,” “The Danish Girl”) plays dual roles with dual purposes and she manages to switch between the two effortlessly, leaving unattentive viewers none the wiser. Ineson is a commanding presence in his brief time as The Green Knight and Erin Kellyman (“Solo: A Star Wars Story,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”) continues her streak of playing brief and unsettling characters that are massive standouts.
Yet, make no mistake, as fantastical as this world is, this is still an A24 picture and Lowery’s penchant for slow and methodical shots is still fully present. “A Knight’s Tale” this is not, and anyone going in expecting an adventurous medieval romp or even a twisted fantasy should know that “Green Knight” is a very deliberately paced film, content with letting shots linger for minutes and letting some scenes go by without a word spoken.
It's a stylistic choice to be sure, and it absolutely will not land with every viewer, but those who do throw their hands up and succumb to Lowery’s reinterpretation with (arguably) the first hero’s journey. It’s impeccably shot by cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo (“You’re Next,” “A Ghost Story”) with plenty of shots that transcend what could be called gimickiness and instead end up searing themselves into your brain. They are accompanied by some truly ethereal music by Daniel Hart (“Pete’s Dragon (2016),” “The Old Man and the Gun”) to create an atmosphere of true otherworldly fantasy.
Any English major worth their salt will tell you that one of the reasons the Green Knight is green is plain and simple: he’s otherworldly. Lowery has achieved such a feat with his entire film for sure; “Green Knight” is full of sumptuous shots and excellent production design, but the actors so committed to this unsettling fantasy world and the music that underscores it all helps to create a film that’s atmosphere is likely to stay with you long after you’ve viewed it. 4.5/5
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